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Council postpones Tomlinson speed limit change

Tuesday, September 1, 2026 youarecurrent.com

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City celebrates end of Simon Moon Park renovations Page 5

Special Olympics returning to Grand Park

READ, ROAM & PLAY Westfield Washington Public Library, township open outdoor community space

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School officials weigh cost of state vouchers Page 10

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Westfield council postpones Tomlinson Road speed change By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com The Westfield City Council tabled a proposed traffic ordinance that would have lowered the speed limit from 40 to 35 mph on Tomlinson Road, the site of a June accident that took the life of a 7-year-old boy. The ordinance is expected to come back to the council in September. In the meantime, Rachel and Chris Stidham, the boy’s parents, plan to continue pushing the council to reduce the speed limit to 30 mph and Mayor Scott Willis told the council Aug. 24 that the city will gather more data, including a review by outside engineers. The Stidhams and other members of the public spoke to the council about the ordinance, urging city officials to consider 30 mph along that stretch of road and stressing that the road is adjacent to residential neighborhoods and an elementary school. Chris Stidham said 30 mph isn’t a number picked out of a hat — it makes sense from a safety and survivability standpoint. Pedestrians struck by a vehicle going 30 mph are significantly more likely to survive, he said, adding that the speed limit is 30 on other parts of that same road. “Changing the speed limit isn’t going to do anything to bring Graham back,” he said. “We’re not doing this for our own personal selves. We’re doing this because we don’t want anyone to ever feel like what we have felt over the past two and a half months.” Rachel Stidham said 35 mph is not good enough. “I’m not asking you to close the road. I’m not asking you to do something completely unreasonable,” she said. “It’s 5 mph less than you guys are agreeing or think makes sense. You’ve heard our concerns. You’ve heard our arguments for 30, and now you’re offering 35 as compromise. But my son’s death is exactly why I don’t believe that compromising is something that I’m going to do. If we already know that 40 is too fast, then I don’t understand why 35 is simply easier to agree on. Five mph sounds small, but it could be life and death.” Emily Ralph, who lives in the same neighborhood as the Stidhams, said

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Rachel Stidham speaks to the Westfield City Council Aug. 24. (Photo by Leila Kheiry)

she believed the city’s speed study on Tomlinson Road was rushed and, along with other speakers, argued that the 85 percent rule was outdated and the city needs to consider other factors. The 35 mph proposed in the ordinance was based in part on the 85 percent rule, the speed at or below which 85 percent of observed vehicles are traveling under free-flow conditions. Mayor Scott Willis told the council and those attending the meeting that the rule was only one part of the data used to come up with the proposed ordinance. He said postponing the vote gives the city time to gather more data along with input from outside engineers. “One thing that has been missing through this all is the actual police report,” he added. “We’re waiting on that data to come back. There’s a forensic piece to that that takes time to put it together. We think it will be done by the next meeting. So, the chief of police or the detective who led this investigation will come and brief you all along the very specifics of the police report of the accident.” In an earlier interview, the city’s Executive Chief of Operations John Nail said that when determining a speed limit, the city follows federal Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices standards, which calls for the process to start with a speed study to determine the 85th percentile.

“An easy way to think about this is if there were 100 vehicles in our speed study, we line up those speeds from slowest to highest,” he said. “The 15th-fastest vehicle is the 85th percentile speed in that study. So, we look at the 85th percentile, and we also look at what’s known as the median or 15th percentile speed.” Those speeds provide data for setting the speed limit on a road, he said, but that’s only a portion of the data used. “We don’t just take the speed study as the only data point,” he said. “We also consider crash history or safety of the corridor. We think about future development and existing development. How is the road changing? We think about what kind of pedestrian activity do we see on the corridor, and then other factors like, for example, the school being present on Tomlinson Road.” Nail said if the city considered only the speed study, it would have recommended leaving the speed limit at 40 mph. The additional factors led to the engineering recommendation of 35 mph. He added that simply lowering the speed limit won’t necessarily make the road safer and the city is taking additional steps, including a new crosswalk and stronger enforcement. Long term plans call for closing gaps in pedestrian trails along the roadway. The next Westfield City Council meeting is set for 7 p.m. Sept. 14 at City Hall.

Have a news tip, calendar item or photo to share? Contact Managing Editor Leila Kheiry at leila@ youarecurrent.com or submit it at youarecurrent. com/newstips. Our print deadline is eight days prior to publication. Submissions for online accepted daily.

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CURRENT IN WESTFIELD 09.01.26 • youarecurrent.com

GRADES K–5

P OSTE R C O N T E ST

GRADES 6–8

P O E M C O N T E ST

VETERANS DAY CEREMONY

POSTER, POEM, & ESSAY CONTEST 2026 THEME

What Does Freedom Mean to Me, and How Have Veterans Helped Protect It? OPEN FOR ENTRIES: SEPTEMBER 8 SUBMISSION DEADLINE: OCTOBER 30 Visit westfieldin.gov/veteransdayceremony or scan the QR code to learn more!

Winners will have the option to read their poems during the Veterans Day Ceremony.

GRADES 9–12

E S S AY C O N T E ST The winner will be invited to read their essay during the Veterans Day Ceremony. Participating students may attend any school but must live in the City of Westfield or Washington Township.

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09.01.26 • youarecurrent.com

Matt Summerfield, 4-year-old Rey, 5-month-old Stevie and mom Rebecca smile in front of “Ichabod,” the play structure they named leading up to the opening of Simon Moon Park. (Photo by Arianna Hunt)

City marks end of Simon Moon Park renovations By Arianna Hunt arianna@youarecurrent.com Westfield Parks and Recreation celebrated the end of renovation work at Simon Moon Park with a special ceremony Aug. 20. Westfield Mayor Scott Willis noted his personal connection to the park. “We live right across the street and I used to bring my kids over here all the time,” Willis said. “My wife and I, almost daily, would walk the Midland Trace Trail and we’ve watched it evolve and grow.” The park is named after Simon Moon, a Quaker who co-founded Westfield in 1834 with Asa Bales and Ambrose Osborne. With a new playground, outdoor education classroom, another park shelter and several new boardwalks, Phase 2 of the park’s renovations are complete. The improvements added onto the Phase 1 renovations, which included a reshaped pond, new boardwalk and bridge, redesign of the sledding hill and an expanded parking lot. “(Simon Moon Park) was certainly a centerpiece for entertainment for us,” Willis said. “This is going to be a great community asset for our residents, not just for those that live close, but anybody that comes along the Midland Trace Trail.” Willis said his favorite amenity was the sledding hill, especially now with the new improvements. “Where else can you go sledding in Westfield?” Willis said. “This is amazing

— now they’ve got the little structure up there where you can pop in and get warm. I remember sitting out here freezing and my kids (you) couldn’t get them off the hill once they got going. So, to have a place you can go in and get a little warm, that I think is a neat little feature.” The first iterations of the Simon Moon Park renovations began with scribbles on a napkin eight years ago, Westfield Parks and Recreation Director Chris McConnell said. “It is absolutely one of the greatest parks now that we have in Westfield,” McConnell said. “It’s really one of the first parks that I’ve gotten to be a part of or lead from very beginning to very end. So, it will always be near and dear to my heart.” Earlier this year, the City of Westfield held a “Name the Crane Contest” to decide what to call a wooden bird play structure on the playground. The Summerfield family won the contest with the name “Ichabod,” after Ichabod Crane, the protagonist in Washington Irving’s short story “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” Rebecca Summerfield said she appreciates the park and the growth the city has seen. “I like that it has grown so much since we moved here in 2019, and that was before we had our kids,” Summerfield said. “And now that we have kids, it’s nice to see everything growing up with them.” For more, go to westfieldin. gov/Facilities/Facility/Details/ Simon-Moon-Park-11.

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Westfield High School FCCLA students in Washington, D.C., during the national leadership conference in July. (Photo courtesy of WHS)

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Westfield High School Foodies Rock FCCLA students traveled to Washington, D.C., in early July to compete at the FCCLA National Leadership Conference. FCCLA — Family Community and Career Leaders of America — was established in 1945 and is a career and technical student leadership organization for young leaders interested in family and consumer sciences and related industries, according to a news release. Gold medalists were Avery Gustafson, career investigation; and Harini Kesiboyina and Neeha Gopisetti, public policy advocate. Silver medalists were Mateo Grimaldo in interior design and Brandon Chaboya in hospitality, tourism and recreation. Payton Peters and Emma Wells received bronze medals in hospitality, tourism and recreation. Luke Annandale placed third in the nation in professional presentation in the Students Taking Action with Recognition event. Earning gold and placing in the top 10 were Natalie Schermerhorn, hospitality and tourism; and Matilda Fricker, event management. Emmy Watson placed third in fashion design sketch, third in counseling and mental health and second in principles of Human Services. Matilda Fricker placed first in hospitality and tourism, and first in food science. Jayden Belyew placed first in school to career and was recognized for her commitment to pursuing family and consumer sciences education in college. Foodies Rock is part of the WHS culinary arts program.

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Athletes participate in the 2025 Special Olympics Cornhole State Championship during the Eunice Kennedy Shriver Weekend at Grand Park in Westfield. (Photo courtesy of Special Olympics Indiana)

Special Olympics returning to Grand Park By Arianna Hunt arianna@youarecurrent.com Special Olympics Indiana Fall Competition has begun and will return to Grand Park in Westfield Oct. 4 for cornhole, distance running and walking, flag football and soccer. Westfield is only one stop in the fall games, which began Aug. 15 with the equestrian state competition at the Hendricks County 4-H Fairgrounds in Danville. The events continue Sept. 12 with softball at the Center Grove Lassie League in Greenwood, followed by golf at Hickory Stick Golf Club in Greenwood and pickleball at The Picklr at Keystone Crossing in Indianapolis Sept. 13. After the Westfield events in October, the series concludes with Unified Volleyball at The Academy Volleyball Club in Indianapolis Nov. 21. Special Olympics Hamilton County supports more than 600 local athletes contributing to a network of 20,000 participants statewide. Relying entirely on donations, the county program provides year-round sports training and athletic competition programs free of charge to athletes with intellectual disabilities starting at age 8. Westfield resident Danyele Easterhaus’ daughter and brother have been athletes in the program, so Danyele has been involved with Special Olympics one way or another most of her life. She now serves as the county coordinator for Special Olympics Hamilton County. “Special Olympics provides a community of people that become not only friends, but co-athletes with you,” Easterhaus said. “You’re competing for the same thing, and so it’s a place where they grow stronger and they are actual-

ly being allowed to make decisions, and people listen.” After graduating from Westfield High School, Brooke Easterhaus — Danyele’s daughter — became depressed without a clear path to take, but soon found the community and involvement she needed as an athlete. “And then she got involved in the Special Olympics and boom, she’s got a group of friends. She’s competing. She’s the gold medal winner in the 100 meter dash for two or three years now,” Easterhaus said. “I mean, like, it’s amazing that you can go from having little hope to being part of something that’s really big.” Noblesville resident Evan Burnette, 23, is participating in this year’s distance running and walking competitions in Westfield and also has seen firsthand the benefits programs can bring. “I would say that if someone’s looking to make friends or be part of a social group, Special Olympics is definitely a good place to meet new people and also enjoy being active at the same time,” Burnette said. As a distance running and walking coach, and father of a Special Olympics athlete, Dan Cavallini of Noblesville sees the change the program makes in his athletes. “I think my favorite part of coaching is watching the athletes reach the goals that they set for themselves, where they achieve the goals that they set out,” Cavallini said. “They develop teamwork, (and) develop discipline on sticking to a practice schedule. So, you see a lot of personal growth with the athletes over time, and that’s really wonderful to see.” For more, visit soindiana.org.

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Officials break ground on Park and Poplar By Kaitlin Fallowfield news@currentinwestfield.com Construction on the $123 million Park and Poplar project in downtown Westfield kicked off Aug. 19 after officials tossed the ceremonial first dirt. An Old Town Companies project, Park and Poplar is a mixed-use development that will anchor the west side of downtown. The project site is at the intersection of Westfield Boulevard and Park Street, across from the Westfield Washington Public Library. “These moments for me are pretty special because I get to pause and look out at faces and reflect on all the hard work that got us to this moment, and then still recognize that there’s a lot of work left to do to bring a project to completion,” Old Town Companies CEO Justin Moffett said during the groundbreaking ceremony. Park and Poplar will feature 240 apartments, 56 brownstone-style townhomes, restaurants, storefronts and

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Officials toss dirt at the construction site that is the future home of the Park and Poplar mixed-use development. Old Town Companies estimates the project will be completed by 2028. (Photo by Kaitlin Fallowfield)

60,000 square feet of office space. The development will also include a public plaza and a connection to the Midland Trace Trail at the south end of the property. The project was approved by Westfield City Council in May 2025 following a redesign that eliminated a hotel and created a parking garage to serve downtown. The city also approved a tax increment financing district that provides $11 million of the estimated $22 million cost for the parking garage. Mayor Scott Willis said the vision for Park and Poplar had to be done right. “It’s a very sensitive location for our city. You just can’t slap something up here and make it work,” Willis said. “We knew Old Town had a reputation of delicately planting projects in communities. It was just the right partner for us.” Moffett said Park and Poplar represents an opportunity to enrich the community with places where neighbors can gather. “We care deeply about how these communities are formed and hopefully, this high ideal of creating places and spaces that encourage human flourishing, places where people can connect from all sorts of different backgrounds, ethnicities, age ranges — and we have seen that come true in a lot of other projects we’ve had the privilege of helping co-develop over the years,” Moffett said. Heavy construction on the Park Street corridor began in May and will continue through the end of this year. Developers estimate the project will be fully completed by 2028.

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Local school leaders weigh state voucher costs By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com With numerous school districts proposing referendums and cutting costs in the wake of the 2025 state property tax law, school funding has become a topic of interest — including Indiana’s school voucher program, which cost about $500 million in the 2024-25 school year. Some area public school officials said that although they support school choice, they’re concerned education funding has not kept up with inflation, let alone the expanded voucher program, which adds to the overall cost of statewide education. However, a school choice advocate said Indiana’s voucher funding protocols are a model for other states. Hamilton Southeastern Schools Superintendent Matt Kegley said each district in Indiana is affected differently by school choice scholarships, commonly called vouchers, and he respects the state’s decision to provide that funding. At the same time, he said, vouchers can affect what’s available to the public school system overall. HSE Chief Financial Officer Tim Brown likened state education funding to one big pie. “Every time you cut a slice into that pie, that is less overall funding for a traditional public school like our school district,” Brown said. “What has happened over the years is the income thresholds by which families can qualify for these choice scholarships has been expanded by a pretty significant amount, where maybe going back to the 2021 school year, that amount was in the $48,000 to $50,000 range for a family of four, to where it sits today at over $244,000.” Brown said as the income threshold for qualifying families increased, so did the number of students within HSE boundaries using scholarships. But that doesn’t mean those students left HSE or would have ever attended public school. He said the students may well have gone to private school no matter what and voucher funding was “the icing on the cake.” Westfield Washington Schools Superintendent John Atha agreed many voucher students likely would not be public school students anyway. He said when the program first was introduced in 2011, he was principal at the

Westfield Washington Schools reported that for the 2025-26 school year, 776 students used a voucher to attend a non-WWS school. (File photo)

private Bishop Chatard High School in Indianapolis. “My experience is, we did not have a lot of families who were (choosing public schools) start using vouchers,” he said. “We just had families who were already in with us, who maybe got some relief.” That means more students in the funding pool for education dollars. Atha cited a 2023 Indiana University study that showed about 70 percent of Indiana voucher students already attended private school. “And those dollars have to come from somewhere,” he said. “What’s happened is, they have not expanded total spending on education — which is the state’s

responsibility — to match the spending on the vouchers, especially for the added students who were already in private education.” Atha clarified state education funding has increased, but has not kept pace with inflation, especially considering the estimated 75,000 voucher students that cost the state an estimated $500 million in the 2024-25 school year. “If my costs are growing and enrollment is growing at 5 percent, and my budget’s only growing at three and a half percent, then obviously I’m going to have to do more with less,” Atha said. “And so, for me specifically, when I think about funding — if you want to keep the voucher program, it can’t

BY THE NUMBERS The Indiana Department of Education website has details about the school choice scholarship program, including how many students within each public school district use school vouchers to attend a private school or another public school. Westfield Washington Schools reported that for the 2025-26 school year, 776 students used a voucher to attend a non-WWS school — an increase from the 2024-25 level of 302.

According to the state DOE’s annual report on school vouchers, at HSE Schools, 1,400 students within district boundaries used school choice scholarships to attend a different school in the 2024-25 school year. Brownsburg Community Schools Corp. had 765 students use vouchers; Carmel Clay Schools had 541 students; MSD of Lawrence Township had 1,655; Noblesville Schools had 582; and Zionsville Community Schools had 166.

be at the expense of traditional public schools. It has to be in addition to.” Atha stressed that he supports school choice and believes that option makes education stronger overall. He said the conversation is about designing a funding system that doesn’t weaken public schools, which educate the majority of Hoosier kids. Institute for Quality Education President and CEO Betsy Wiley countered that Indiana’s funding system for school choice scholarships is great just the way it is, and actually is a model for other states. “The job is to fund and educate all of Indiana’s kids, and so (lawmakers) have been strong supporters in all of their policies in terms of dollars following the child to the school that they go to,” she said. “That philosophy held true in the establishment of the voucher program and how that funding took place.” Wiley noted that the money follows the child no matter what school they choose, including another public school that isn’t their home district. She said the general belief that tax money should go to public institutions is an idea teacher unions have promoted. However, Wiley said, the funding belongs to the students and their education. She supports universal vouchers, with no income threshold. “I believe that every student in the state of Indiana should be given access to their education funding that the state has allocated,” she said, noting that if students from wealthy families attend public school, they’re funded and nobody complains. In response to concerns about reduced funding for public schools, Wiley — who was former Gov. Mitch Daniels’ deputy chief of staff and worked many years in the Statehouse — said she has never heard anyone in public education suggest that education is adequately funded. “Every time, it’s, ‘We need more money,’” she said. “I think that it’s an interesting question because there’s not really data out there that suggests more money equals greater academic outcomes.” She said the appropriate level of education funding is something for state lawmakers to determine, but the state should stick with its model of funding the education of all students, regardless of where they go to school.

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09.01.26 • youarecurrent.com

WESTFIELD WELCOMES LIV

LIV Golf wrapped up three days of play and its 2026 season at Westfield’s Club at Chatham Hills Aug. 20-23. Spectators watched from the stands, from the course and from balconies as Michael La Sasso won the individual championship and Legion XIII took home the team trophy. The team comprised Jon Rahm, Tyrrell Hatton, Caleb Surratt and Tom McKibbin. (Photos by Maddison Holubik)

Spectators gather around Luis Masaveu as he hits the ball out of the rough on Hole 4.

A family watches golfers during the LIV Golf season final at The Club at Chatham Hills.

Spectators watch from the stands at Hole 12.

Spectators watch from a house off the fairway on Hole 4.

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CURRENT IN WESTFIELD 09.01.26 • youarecurrent.com

HSE senior’s decision to play volleyball pays off By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com Hamilton Southeastern High School senior volleyball player Brooklyn Sigler was faced with a difficult choice. “After giving up soccer and gymnastics, I had to decide between basketball or volleyball,” said Sigler, an outside hitter who started playing volleyball at age 10. “After getting cut from my middle school volleyball team (Fall Creek Junior High) in both seventh and eighth grade, I knew I had a choice — give up on volleyball and play basketball like the rest of my family, or play volleyball and work for it. It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made, but my heart was telling me to choose volleyball.” Sigler, whose brother Logan played basketball for Fishers High School and now plays for DePauw University, said she was told she could either be a practice player on the 14-and-under top team for Rev club and work for playing time, or start on the 14-under second team. “I knew I was capable of earning a spot on the (the top team), so I pushed myself in every practice and trained as hard as I could,” Sigler said. “Eventually, I earned my spot as the starting outside hitter. That next year, I arrived at HSE and the rest is history. I’ve kept that chip on my shoulder throughout my high school career. I love having the underdog mentality

ATHLETE

OF THE WEEK MEET BROOKLYN SIGLER Favorite athletes: Kyndal Stowers, Chloe Chicoine and Trinity Rodman. Favorite musicians: Morgan Wallen, Mitchell Tenpenny and Tate McRae. Favorite TV shows: “Outer Banks,” “The Vampire Diaries” and “Love island” Favorite vacation spot: Hilton Head Island, S.C.

and that fuels my competitiveness on the court.” Royals coach Jason Young said Sigler is hard working and humble. “Brooklyn has been a tremendous leader for this group,” he said. “Her teammates really respect her and value her opinion.” Young said Sigler improved her game during the offseason while playing club volleyball for Munciana Samurai “It is exciting to see how much she has and can improve,” Young said. “She is an amazing person with an incredible future.” The 5-foot-11 Sigler, who has made a verbal commitment to play volleyball for Ohio University, had 209 kills last season. Sigler, who is in her second season on varsity, said the team’s primary goal is to win the IHSAA Class 4A state title. “However, beyond winning, I want to see myself and my teammates grow and improve throughout the season,” she said. “I want to push myself to become the best player and teammate I can be while encouraging everyone around me to do the same. Most importantly, I want this season to be filled with laughter, love, competition and memories that we’ll carry with us beyond the season.” To nominate a high school student for Athlete of the Week, contact mark@youarecurrent.com.

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Secretary of state hopefuls address issues By Ann Marie Shambaugh AnnMarie@youarecurrent.com The four candidates seeking to become Indiana’s next secretary of state spoke about their backgrounds, visions and leadership styles during OneZone’s Voices of Leadership Luncheon Aug. 18 at FORUM Event Center in Fishers. Democrat Beau Bayh, Republican Max Engling, Libertarian Lauri Shillings and Lincoln Party candidate Greg Ballard answered questions from moderator Jack Russell, OneZone president and CEO. The candidates will be on the ballot in the Nov. 3 general election. The following summarizes remarks by each candidate at the luncheon. BAYH AIMS TO CURB ‘WASTEFUL SPENDING’ Bayh is often asked the same question at his campaign stops: Is he running for office simply because his father and grandfather did? Bayh’s father, Evan Bayh, served as Indiana governor and U.S. senator, and his grandfather, Birch Bayh, served as U.S. senator and state representative. He said he’s not running to simply follow in their footsteps, but their legacies influenced him. Bayh, an attorney who has degrees from Harvard University and Harvard Law School, said if elected he would initiate an independent audit of the secretary of state’s office as soon as he takes office. He said he is aiming to avoid the “divisiveness and anger” that is often prevalent in the political landscape. Learn more about Bayh at BeauBayh. com.

OneZone President and CEO Jack Russell, center, gives remarks before moderating an event featuring Indiana secretary of state candidates, from left, Lauri Shillings, Max Engling, Beau Bayh and Greg Ballard. (Photo by Ann Marie Shambaugh)

ENGLING: ‘I HAVE THE MOST RELEVANT EXPERIENCE’ Engling grew up in a family of eight siblings, worked multiple jobs to pay his way through college without debt and maneuvered through the ranks of various political jobs in Washington, D.C. Since moving back to Indiana, he’s worked for Beck’s Hybrids and U.S. Sen. Jim Banks. The married father of four from Cicero said election integrity is among his top priorities if elected. He said he will work to ensure only U.S. citizens are voting, eligibility rules are clear, voter ID is required and voter rolls are maintained. Learn more at maxforindiana.com.

of the 2015 Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which led to businesses and conventions threatening to pull out of Indiana, was among the most difficult challenges he’s faced as a leader. Ballard, a former U.S. Marine, said if elected he would not endorse, fundraise for or donate to political candidates. He feels this is inappropriate, as the secretary of state’s office oversees elections in the state. Learn more at GregBallard.com. SHILLINGS WANTS TO STREAMLINE SERVICES As a state official for Indiana’s Libertarian Party, Shillings has experience working with the secretary of state’s office. It hasn’t always been easy, she said. Shillings said she wants to improve transparency by creating a portal that provides easy-to-find information about business filings and campaign donations. A Carmel resident, Shillings is a creative director at the University of Indianapolis and owns a marketing business. Learn more at LauriforLiberty.com.

BALLARD LEANS ON LEADERSHIP EXPERIENCE As the only candidate to have previously served in elected office, Ballard believes his background sets him apart. Ballard served as Republican mayor of Indianapolis from 2008 to 2016. He said working through the implications

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CURRENT IN WESTFIELD 09.01.26 • youarecurrent.com

READ, ROAM & PLAY Westfield Washington Public Library, township open outdoor community space

By Leila Kheiry leila@youarecurrent.com The last piece of Westfield Washington Public Library’s building project is a welcoming outdoor space where kids can listen to stories in the fresh air and members of the public can gather for events or simply enjoy a stroll through the landscaped garden. The library’s Read and Roam Garden officially opened Aug. 18 with a traditional ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the completion of the project — a partnership between the library and Westfield Washington Township, which occupies the west side of the library building. Library Director Sheryl Sollars said the building plan always included a shared outdoor space, but they wanted to take their time deciding exactly how it would look and function. The result is a multi-use space for the whole community. “There’s a big open space (in the middle) that we can fit, like, a 40-by-60 tent in there, so we can have community events,” she said, noting that the building has become an anchor for that part of the city. “We look at our building as the west end of downtown and then Grand Junction is at the other end. We’re excited to be part of that.” The new space has an expansive lawn that can be used for cornhole and other games, and two patios with smart pergolas that automatically close when it rains. The garden has plant beds, as well, separated by interconnected sidewalks. “We still haven’t done this, but we wanted to walk the whole thing and see how many steps that was, so we could tell people, ‘You can come here to the library and get your steps in,” Sollars said. Westfield Washington Township Trustee Jamie Goetz Mills said waiting a couple of years gave her and Sollars a chance to find out what the community wanted most from the space. “One of the things that we found is just general green space is what people were looking for, kind of a place to just,

(Below) Westfield residents read the names of individuals and businesses that sponsored bricks in support of the Read and Roam Garden. (Photo by Leila Kheiry)

City of Westfield Mayor Scott Willis, center, joins Westfield Washington Public Library Director Sheryl Sollars, Westfield Washington Township Trustee Jamie Goetz Mills and others after cutting the ribbon on the library’s new Read and Roam Garden. (Photo courtesy of Claire Slaven)

you know, sit in grass,” she said, adding that the lawn and patio spaces provide flexibility. “We can do different levels of programming … the library can continue to do their story times outside, move them in and out. We do programming at the township for … preschoolers all the way up until 55 and better. So, we hope to see yoga out here in the mornings and Zumba, and, obviously, with our preschool classes — just being able to get them outside and not being in a

closed area.” Mills said the concept builds on a vision of two government entities working together to provide something positive for the community. Nicole Amsler, the library’s community engagement and marketing manager, noted that part of the new outdoor space includes brick pavers featuring the names of individuals and businesses, a fundraiser organized by the Westfield Library Foundation in support of

A COMPLETED VISION The Read and Roam Garden was the last piece, but the library and township building was completed two years ago. The $17 million project celebrated its grand opening in June 2024, attracting 3,000 visitors that day and issuing a record number of new library cards. Westfield Washington Public Library offers services for children, teens and adults, including books, games, recreation, outreach to seniors, crafts, groups,

reading programs, a writers group and book clubs. For more, visit wwpl.lib.in.us. Westfield Washington Township services include rent/shelter, utilities, food and medicine aid for residents facing a financial emergency; planning and zoning; weed control; burial assistance; cemetery maintenance; and management of MacGregor Park. For more, visit westfieldwashingtontwp.us.

the Read and Roam Garden. Before cutting the ribbon, Westfield Mayor Scott Willis said the new outdoor space has been a long time coming and he was happy to see how many people showed up to celebrate its completion. “Thanks for supporting the library,” he said to those gathered for the event. “It’s a huge, huge piece of our community, especially as we try to revitalize downtown — this was the centerpiece, and we talked about that when we chose this location (for the library). I’m just excited for you guys. Every time I come here, this place is packed. Just keep up the great work.” ON THE COVER: Children play a Connect

Four lawn game after the Aug. 18 opening of the Westfield Washington Public Library’s Read and Roam Garden. (Photo by Leila Kheiry)

INSIDE & OUT BLUEPRINT FOR IMPROVEMENT: Commentary by Larry Greene This east Carmel kitchen was reworked with a warmer, more refined layout that balances everyday function with elevated architectural details.

CURRENT IN WESTFIELD

09.01.26 • youarecurrent.com

Carmel kitchen gets a modern makeover AFTER

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A generous new island creates seating for five while giving the kitchen a stronger central gathering point. Warm wood cabinetry and brass hardware bring richness to the bright, neutral palette. Quartz countertops continue into the arched cooking niche for a seamless, custom look. Updated appliance placement and added storage improve everyday function throughout the room. Statement brass pendants and layered lighting complete the polished, welcoming transformation. Larry Greene is the owner of Worthington Design & Remodeling (formerly Case). You may email him at lgreene@worthingtonindy. com or visit worthingtonindy.com for more remodeling inspiration and advice.

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Downside of growing up? Commentary by Terry Anker As children, we find ourselves eager to grow up. Each day brings a panoply of new “rights.” Sure, there are a few responsibilities to go along, but being “big” is wonderful. With it comes more self-direction, choice and access. We get to feed ourselves rather than eat from the spoon of whatever our parents are shoving our way. We get to select our own shirt for school and get to do more of the things that were previously off limits to us but allowed to our older siblings. If we are particularly lucky and our parents are in a good mood, we might attain the holy grail of childhood and be permitted to stay up late! By the time we cross over into our teen years, it all becomes a little cloudier. As we demand greater freedom and covet a cellphone of our own, we feel the urge to set aside the once-coveted stuff animal or toy car. Disney’s 1995 hit “Toy Story” still resonates — the once much-loved is relegated to the donation box. Even so, the memories remain while we embark on new adventures. By adulthood, we are living lives fully possessed of our own making. We marry, reproduce, achieve much in our communities and become our best selves. It is a good run, if a bit of a blur. It is good to be us. It is good to be a grown-up. Still, the downside contrast is more cutting. Financial obligations and the knowledge of our own shortcomings deliver stress in abundance. As we advance in years, the “rights” recede. Where we once flew up the stairs, we now hobble. Big meals, fast cars, instant recall, late nights and endless resilience become increasingly out of reach. Once we’ve grown up, are we destined to grow down?

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Terry Anker is an associate editor of Current Publishing, LLC. You may email him at terry@youarecurrent.com.

Your source for local arts & entertainment and upcoming events • youarecurrent.com

CURRENT IN WESTFIELD

09.01.26 • youarecurrent.com

ATI takes on 1970s version of ‘Beehive’ By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurret.com For Rachel Dudt, it’s fitting that she returns to perform in Actors Theatre of Indiana’s season opener. Dudt appeared in “Beehive: The ’60s Musical,” which opened the 2025-26 season. She will return in the sequel, “Never Can Say Goodbye: The ’70s Beehive Musical,” Sept. 4 to 20 at the Studio Theater at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. ATI is the third organization to present the show. “We had such a good response from ‘Beehive,’ the ’60s version,” Dudt said. “This is kind of an extension of that moving into the ’70s. I think this will be even more engaging with everybody because there’s such a variety. You have folk rock, hard rock and you’ve got disco. There’s a little something for everybody in there.” Dudt will perform songs by Blondie, Ann Wilson of Heart and Helen Reddy. In the ’60s version, she sang songs by Janis Joplin and Carole King. “We’re not necessarily doing impersonations like we did last year,” Dudt said. “It’s just a little more of a flavor of the artists instead of being completely costumed as them as a tribute.” Dudt said she has always loved Heart and gets to sing “Barracuda.” “Heart has one of the greatest rock vocalists of all time, especially in the ‘70s when women weren’t really headlining groups,” Dudt said. “So, it’s cool we end Act 1 with a whole Heart medley.” Performing Reddy’s “I Am Woman” is another special moment for Dudt. “The arrangement is really cool and gets everybody involved, and it’s kind of like the female anthem of the ’70s,” she said. Dudt said the ’60s version was more of a chronological depiction of that decade, and this version is more about the diversity of the musical genres. “You get the folk rock with Linda Ronstadt and the glam rock with Blondie and some hard rock with

‘RING OF FIRE’ “Ring of Fire” runs through Oct. 4 at Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre in Indianapolis. For more, visit beefandboards.com. ‘THE ‘70S BEEHIVE MUSICAL’ Actors Theatre of Indiana presents “Never Can Say Goodbye: The ‘70s Beehive Musical” from Sept. 4 to 20 at the Studio Theater at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. For more, visit thecenterpresents.org. Rachel Dudt returns to perform in the 1970s version of “Beehive” at ATI. (Photo courtesy of Joey Mervis)

Heart,” she said. “Then you get a whole country section and then it gets into disco.” Kira Rangel performed in ATI’s “Beehive” last year, too. Rangel performed Tina Turner and Aretha Franklin songs in last year’s production. “This time we’re all in basically every song, and there’s a lot of mashups, too,” said Rangel, who is based in the Quad Cities area in Iowa. “There’s sections by genre, so there’s rock, bohemian, country and, my favorite, funk. It just takes you down memory lane, and with the costumes, it’s like you’re about to be transplanted to another time again.” Rangel said she sings “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” by Roberta Flack, “Up the Ladder to the Roof” by the Supremes and “Le Freak” by Chic. “I’m excited because we’ve never done it before. We get to try new

things and make it our own,” she said. “This is the music I would hear Sunday morning when my mom was cleaning the house. That’s how I knew it was time because she would be blasting all these artists.” Debbie Hill wasn’t in ATI’s “Beehive” last year, but this is her third ATI show. The Fortville resident was in “Sunset Boulevard” earlier this year and “Dirty Rotten Scoundrels” in 2019. Hill said her parents listened to the show’s style of music. “I’m enjoying a deep dive in and getting to sing a lot of female harmonies,” Hill said. “I’ve always been a big fan of Linda Ronstadt, so I’m excited there are two of her songs in there.” Hill sings Ronstadt’s “Poor, Poor Pitiful Me” and takes the lead on one of the Supremes’ song. A Lafayette native, Hill teaches musical theater at Ball State. For more, visit atistage.org.

FEINSTEIN’S CABARET Marilyn Maye will perform at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 3-4 at Feinstein’s cabaret at Hotel Carmichael. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. For more, visit feinsteinshc.com.

DISPATCHES  Concerts set in Fishers — The White River Chamber Orchestra and Wind Symphony in Fishers will each perform two concerts between October and June 2027. On Oct. 3, the Wind Symphony will perform with the theme of “Through Time and Space.” The Chamber Orchestra will play its “Christmas Extravaganza” Dec. 6 and will present “An Evening with Haydn and Mozart” on April 17, 2027. The season will end with the 11th annual “Sounds of America” concert June 27. All concerts will be at Legacy Bible Church in Fishers. Tickets are available at FishersMusicWorks.org.  “American Pickers” looking for Indiana collections — The History Channel series “American Pickers,” which takes viewers through private collections of historical items, is returning to Indiana in October. Anyone with a private collection who would like to be considered for the show can send full name, city and state, contact information and a brief description of your collection to AmericanPickers@cineflix.com or call 646-493-2184.

ENTERTAINMENT

CURRENT IN WESTFIELD 09.01.26 • youarecurrent.com

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“Les Misérables” makes its return Oct. 7, 2027 to Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre. (Photo courtesy of Beef & Boards)

B&B’s ‘27 season set By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.co Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre’s 2027 season features some old favorites along with three shows making their debut at the Indianapolis venue. “This is one of the most exciting seasons we have had since the (COVID-19) pandemic with all-time crowd favorites like ‘Les Misérables’ and ‘Grease’ mixed with the Disney powerhouse ‘Frozen,’” Beef & Boards owner Doug Stark said of the Sept. 1 season announcement. “This season is going to keep our production staff working overtime.” Shows making their Beef & Boards debuts are “The Bunco Squad,” “Frozen” and “On Your Feet.” The season begins Jan. 7 with a comedy based in Indiana. “The Bunco Squad” follows a group of friends who roll dice together in Seymour for a night of Bunco, but it’s not always sure they will get the opportunity to actually play the game. “‘The Bunco Squad’ is very funny, and don’t we all need a good laugh to start the year?” Stark said. “Grease,” which was last performed at Beef & Boards in 2019, starts Feb. 11. The show, set in 1959, relives days of hot rods, diners and drive-ins. Memorable songs include “Greased Lightnin’,” “You’re The One That I Want” and “Summer Nights.” Next starting April 8 is the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic “South Pacific,” set during World War II. “South Pacific” won 10 Tony Awards, including Best Musical and Best Score. The score features “Some Enchanted Evening,” “Nothing Like a Dame” and “I’m Gonna Wash That Man Right Outa My Hair.” “Frozen” follows with a May 21 start. The musical is based on Disney’s Academy Award-winning animated film

“Frozen,” which tells of the perpetual winter brought on by Princess Elsa in her mountain kingdom Arendelle, and the efforts of her sister Anna and her friends to break the icy spell. The story of “Always…Patsy Cline” and the country singer’s friendship with a fan named Louise Seger begins July 22. There are more than two dozen songs, including hits such as “Crazy,” “I Fall to Pieces,” “Sweet Dreams” and “Walking After Midnight.” “On Your Feet,” the musical celebrating the true story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan, opens Aug. 26. Stark said “On Your Feet” is the show he looks forward to the most. “The Latin rhythms grab each of us and make you join the conga line, whatever your age,” he said. “Les Misérables” makes its return Oct. 7, 2027 to the Beef & Boards stage. The classic musical was last performed there in 2013. Beef & Boards’ 54th year wraps up during the holidays with “A Beef & Boards Christmas.” The original production starts Nov. 26, 2027 and concludes New Year’s Eve. For more, visit beefandboards.com.

BEEF & BOARDS 2027 SCHEDULE • • • • •

“The Bunco Squad,” Jan.7-Feb. 7 “Grease,” Feb. 11-April 4 “South Pacific,” April 8-May 16 “Disney’s Frozen,” May 21-July 18 “Always… Patsy Cline,” July 22Aug. 22 • “On Your Feet,” Aug. 26-Oct. 3 • “Les Misérables,” Oct. 7-Nov. 21 • “A Beef & Boards Christmas,” Nov. 26-Dec. 31

ENTERTAINMENT

CURRENT IN WESTFIELD

09.01.26 • youarecurrent.com

Abigail Lessaris models a costume for last year’s Fashion at The Florence in 2024. (Photo courtesy of GHDT)

Fashion at The Florence set By Mark Ambrogi mark@youarecurrent.com Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre’s Fashion at The Florence serves as a sneak preview of sorts. “It’s a great way to kick the season off because it premieres what our audience will see onstage in the coming season,” said Christine Colquitt Thacker, executive assistant and coordinator for GHDT. “We chose costumes from the upcoming season, so attendees will experience beautiful pieces up close from ‘The Black Dahlia,’ ‘Salem,’ ‘A Night in India’ and more. You get inside information on their creation, why certain design elements are present and get to see them up close. The fundraiser is set for 6:30 p.m. Sept. 19 at The Florence at The Academy of GHDT in Carmel. The season opens with “Salem” Oct. 23-24 at The Tarkington at Allied Solutions Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. GHDT Executive Director Gregory Hancock and Colquitt Thacker will provide insight on the fashion creations and the pieces that inspired them. “Inspiration for these dynamic garments comes from all over the world,” Colquitt Thacker said.“We will also have a cabaret singer that has chosen to sing works that complement each costume theme and will help add even more entertainment to the evening.” Another unique collaboration, Mélange Series, returns with performances at 5 p.m. Sept. 12 and 3 p.m. Sept. 13 with musician Noelle Tretick Gosling, dancer Nathalie Boyle and visual artist Xavier Gray. The artists collaborate to create art in front of the audience. For more, visit gregoryhancockdancetheatre.org.

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ENTERTAINMENT

CURRENT IN WESTFIELD 09.01.26 • youarecurrent.com

Fishers Blues Fest features young talent By Alex McCarthy alex@youarecurrent.com When Georgia bluesman Jontavious Willis plays festivals that charge high ticket prices, he looks out at the audience and feels a disconnect. “You’ve got a football field worth of chairs and coolers, which is cool, but it ain’t the same if people aren’t out there shaking their booty, man,” Willis said. At free concerts, he tends to see more passionate blues fans who are there to move with the music and engage with the performance. “Those folks were so hungry for that music, man, and it makes you play harder,” Willis said. STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP, MANAGEMENT, AND CIRCULATION *(Required by 39 U.S.C. 3685)* 1. Publication Title: Current 2. Publication Number: PE25-933 3. Filing Date: 11-18-25 4. Issue Frequency: Weekly 5. Number of Issues Published Annually: 52 6. Annual Subscription Price: $0 7. Complete Mailing Address of Known Office of Publication: 525 North End Dr #175, Carmel, IN 46032 (Contact Person: Benjamin Weir, 317-748-2662) 8. Complete Mailing Address of Headquarters or General Business Office:** 525 North End Dr #175, Carmel, IN 46032 9. Full Names and Complete Mailing Addresses of Publisher, Editor, and Managing Editor: Publisher: Benjamin Weir, 525 North End Dr #175, Carmel, IN 46032 Editor: Leila Kheiry, 525 North End Dr #175, Carmel, IN 46032 Managing Editor: Richard Morwick, 525 North End Dr #175, Carmel, IN 46032 10. Owner: Benjamin J. Weir, 525 North End Dr #175, Carmel, IN 46032 Steve Greenberg, 525 North End Dr #175, Carmel, IN 46032 Terry Anker, 525 North End Dr #175, Carmel, IN 46032 Scott Wharton, 525 North End Dr #175, Carmel, IN 46032 11. Known Bondholders, Mortgagees, and Other Security Holders: None 12. Tax Status: Has Not Changed During Preceding 12 Months 15. Extent and Nature of Circulation | Average No. Copies Each Issue During Preceding 12 Months a. Total Number of Copies: 119,198 b. Total Paid Distribution: 0 c. Total Paid Distribution: 0 d. Free or Nominal Rate Distribution (1) Free Outside-County Copies Stated on PS Form 3541: 22,756 (2) Free In-County Copies Stated on PS Form 3541: 96,182 (4) Free Distribution Outside the Mail (Carriers) | 250 e. Total Free or Nominal Rate Distribution: 119,188 f. Total Distribution (Sum of 15c and 15e): 119,188 g. Copies not Distributed: 0 h. Total (Sum of 15f and 15g) 119,198 i. Percent Paid: 0% (Requester) 17. Publication of Statement of Ownership: Printed in the Sept. 1, 2026 issue of this publication. 18. Signature and Title: Benjamin Weir, Publisher (Date: 8-18-26).

Blues musician Jontavious Willis. (Photo courtesy of the Jontavious Willis Team)

Blues guitarist Mathias Lattin. (Photo courtesy of Nickel Plate District Amphitheater)

When Willis headlines the free Fishers Blues Fest, he hopes to get the kind of crowd that gives him that energy. The festival, presented Sept. 5 and 6 at the Nickel Plate District Amphitheater in Fishers, prides itself as one of the most accessible blues festivals in the nation, offering free admission, free parking and accommodations for people of all abilities. The 14th annual Blues Fest has a lineup bursting with young talent. Willis, 30, has long been hailed as one of the nation’s great young blues performers,

but he laughed as he talked about feeling old compared to some of the other names in the lineup. Two of the biggest up-and-coming names in the genre, Mathias Lattin and Dylan Triplett, will perform, as will singer Judith Hill. Lattin, 24, and Triplett, 26, have drawn attention because of their youth, but their versatility and range might unite them more. Lattin describes his sound as “blues with a twist,” which he honed playing jazz, rock, blues, Latin and even classical music in his hometown of Houston.

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His multi-faceted guitar playing earned him worldwide fame in 2023 when he became one of the only musicians to ever win both the Best Guitarist and Best Band awards at the International Blues Challenge. Both Lattin and Triplett are signed to blues artist Christone “Kingfish” Ingram’s Red Zero label, and Lattin works with the label as a writer and producer as well. He has worked with artists ranging from country to hiphop, and has seen how blues music has influenced those genres. Experiencing the blues through their eyes has been invigorating, he said. While some purists prefer straightforward blues, Lattin said many young blues artists understand the importance of incorporating other genres and influences. “The blues is going to be in good hands, not only with myself, but with Dylan Triplett, with Kingfish, with Jontavious,” Lattin said. “It’s not gone, it’s just newer, it’s fresh. The only way we keep it alive is if we allow it to change and evolve.” Triplett said he plays “a little bit of blues, a little bit of soul and a little bit of everything else in between.” The East St. Louis native has turned heads with his vocal range, which spans four and a half octaves. He’s also proven that he can use that range effectively, sliding between gritty blues performances and smooth soul numbers. As he’s played more shows in recent years, Triplett said he’s constructed his setlist to better showcase his abilities and take attendees on a journey. “I try to make sure that it is curated to give people an experience that they won’t forget,” Triplett said. “It’s the combination of the music and all of the soul and the camaraderie between the band. You’ll see all of that stuff all at once.” Triplett plays at 7:15 p.m. Sept. 5 before Hill’s set at 8:30 p.m. Hill, 42, has recorded backing vocals for Michael Jackson, Prince and others, and has released five solo albums. Lattin plays at 7:15 p.m. Sept. 6 before Willis’ headlining set at 8:30 p.m. Attendees can find more information at npdamp.com. Willis shook his head and smiled as he ran through all of the performances he’ll be following at the festival. “That means I’ve got to put on a hell of a show,” Willis said. “I’ve got to now. Ain’t no choice.”

PUZZLES 1

09.01.26 • youarecurrent.com

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15. Butler’s includes a bulldog 17. “Kiss Me, ___” 21. Kind of energy 22. Rocker Clapton 23. “Very nice!” 25. Coral formation 26. Loses traction 27. Over there, quaintly 29. No-goodnik 30. Cyber chuckle 32. “The Phantom of the ___” 33. Moocher 35. Confess 36. Go with the flow? 38. Prez on a dime 39. Dolts 40. ___ Vegas

8 7 4

45. He got 74 percent of the vote in Hamilton County in the 2000 US presidential election 47. Decorate 48. Sign on for another tour 49. Sleep disorder 51. Big ‘dos 52. Ignited again 53. ___ bear 55. Hoosier Park figures 56. Sporty car roof 58. Pacers stat 59. ___ v. Wade 60. Big name in ice cream 61. Tiny 62. Lab eggs ANSWERS ON PAGE 23

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